Why You’ll Love This BBQ Baked Beans

BBQ Baked Beans are a delicious and hearty dish that everyone will enjoy. This recipe gives you a sweet and smoky flavor that pairs perfectly with any grilled meat, making it a great choice for summer BBQs or cozy family dinners. You will love how easy it is to prepare and how satisfying it feels to serve a warm bowl of baked beans.

Why Make This Recipe

Making BBQ Baked Beans from scratch is a great way to impress your family and friends. This recipe uses simple ingredients that are easy to find. Plus, cooking beans from dried offers a depth of flavor that canned beans can’t match. You can customize the sweetness and smokiness to your liking, allowing you to adjust it for various taste preferences. Whether you’re hosting a barbecue, bringing a dish to a potluck, or just enjoying a comforting meal at home, these baked beans are sure to be a hit.

What You Need for BBQ Baked Beans

To make BBQ Baked Beans, you’ll need some common ingredients, as well as a bit of time for soaking and cooking. Here’s what you’ll need:

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cups dried great northern beans (soaked overnight in the refrigerator)
4 slices thick bacon (chopped)
1 onion (chopped)
1/2 cup ketchup
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons kosher salt
2 teaspoons dry mustard
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 cup apple juice
5 cups water
1/2 cup BBQ sauce
1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 pound ground beef (80/20)

How to Make BBQ Baked Beans

Making BBQ Baked Beans requires a few simple steps, but the process is easy to follow. Let’s go through the preparation together!

Soak the Beans

First, start by soaking your dried beans. Do this a day ahead of making the dish. Place the beans in a bowl, cover them with water, and refrigerate overnight. This softens the beans and helps reduce cooking time.

Cook the Beans

The next day, drain the soaked beans and put them in a large pot. Cover the beans with fresh water, ensuring there’s about 2 inches of water above them. Bring this water to a low simmer and cook for about an hour or until the beans are just tender. After cooking, drain the beans and keep 2 cups of the cooking water for later use.

Preheat Oven

While your beans are cooking, preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). This will get the oven ready for baking the beans once they are mixed with all the other ingredients.

Cook Bacon, Onion & Ground Beef

In a Dutch oven or large skillet over medium heat, cook the chopped bacon and onion together. You want the bacon to become crispy and the onion to soften. This step adds a rich flavor to the beans. After about 5–7 minutes, add the ground beef, breaking it apart with a spoon. Cook this mixture until the beef is fully browned. If there is too much grease, you can drain a bit before continuing.

Combine and Assemble

Now it’s time to put everything together! Stir the cooked beans into the pot with the bacon, onion, and ground beef. Add in the ketchup, brown sugar, kosher salt, dry mustard, apple cider vinegar, apple juice, BBQ sauce, liquid smoke, and black pepper. Mix everything well. Make sure that the liquids cover the beans; add enough of the reserved cooking water until they are about 2 inches above the beans.

Bake Covered

Cover the Dutch oven with a lid and place it in the preheated oven. Lower the oven temperature to 300°F (150°C) and bake for 2 hours. This slow cooking will help the flavors meld together beautifully.

Uncover and Finish Baking

After 2 hours, carefully remove the lid from the Dutch oven. Now, bake uncovered for an additional 30 minutes. This will allow the liquid to thicken up and the beans to finish cooking. If the beans look too dry, you can add the reserved 2 cups of water and continue baking until you reach your desired consistency.

Best Ways to Serve BBQ Baked Beans

BBQ Baked Beans are great on their own, but they also shine when served with other dishes. You can serve them alongside grilled meats like ribs or chicken, or even as part of a picnic spread. Some people love to enjoy baked beans over baked potatoes or alongside cornbread. You might also consider garnishing with fresh herbs or adding a sprinkle of cheese for extra flavor.

How to Store BBQ Baked Beans

If you have leftovers, you can store them for later use. Simply let the beans cool completely, then place them in an airtight container. You can refrigerate them for up to 3 days. For longer storage, consider freezing the baked beans. They can last in the freezer for up to 3 months. When you’re ready to enjoy them again, just thaw and reheat them on the stove or in the microwave.

Easy Tips to Make BBQ Baked Beans

Adjust the Sweetness: Everyone has their favorite sweetness level in baked beans. You can modify the amount of brown sugar and ketchup based on your taste.
Add Spices: Feel free to add your favorite spices like paprika or cayenne pepper for a kick.
Mix Different Beans: You can also experiment with using a mix of beans, such as black beans or kidney beans, for unique flavors and textures.
Vegetarian Option: Swap out the bacon and beef for vegetables or use smoked tofu to get a smoky flavor without meat.

Try These Variations of BBQ Baked Beans

Spicy BBQ Option: Add diced jalapeños or hot sauce to give your beans a spicy kick.
Maple-Glazed: Replace brown sugar with maple syrup for a different sweetness profile.
Herb-Infused: Stir in fresh herbs like thyme or rosemary for an aromatic touch.

Common Questions About BBQ Baked Beans

1. Can I use canned beans for this recipe?
Yes, you can use canned beans to save time. Simply skip the soaking step and reduce the baking time. Drain and rinse the beans before mixing them with the other ingredients.

2. How can I make the recipe vegetarian?
You can easily make this dish vegetarian by omitting the bacon and ground beef. Use vegetable broth instead of water for more flavor and add more vegetables to the mix.

3. Can I prepare this recipe a day in advance?
Absolutely! You can prepare the baked beans a day in advance. Just store them in the fridge, and then reheat in the oven before serving.

Final Thoughts

BBQ Baked Beans are a delicious classic that everyone should try making at home. With a straightforward recipe and easy-to-find ingredients, you can create a dish that is full of flavor and perfect for sharing. Whether for a summer barbecue or a winter gathering, this dish will warm hearts and fill bellies.

Ready to Give It a Try?

Now that you have all the steps and tips, it’s time to gather your ingredients and get started on your BBQ Baked Beans. Enjoy the cooking process, and be ready to savor each delicious bite!

BBQ Baked Beans

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Author: mohammed-zakaria
Total Time: 165 minutes
Yield: 6 servings
Diet: None

Description

A delicious and hearty BBQ Baked Beans recipe with a sweet and smoky flavor, perfect for summer BBQs or cozy family dinners.

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups dried great northern beans (soaked overnight)
4 slices thick bacon (chopped)
1 onion (chopped)
1/2 cup ketchup
1 cup packed brown sugar
2 teaspoons kosher salt
2 teaspoons dry mustard
1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
1 cup apple juice
5 cups water
1/2 cup BBQ sauce
1/2 teaspoon liquid smoke
1/4 teaspoon black pepper
1 pound ground beef (80/20)

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Instructions

Soak the dried beans in a bowl of water and refrigerate overnight.
Drain the soaked beans and place them in a large pot. Cover them with fresh water and bring to a low simmer.
Cook the beans for about 60 minutes or until tender, then drain, reserving 2 cups of cooking water.
Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
Cook the chopped bacon and onion in a Dutch oven over medium heat for 5-7 minutes until the bacon is crispy.
Add the ground beef and cook until browned, draining excess grease if necessary.
Combine the cooked beans, bacon, onion, ground beef, ketchup, brown sugar, kosher salt, dry mustard, apple cider vinegar, apple juice, BBQ sauce, liquid smoke, and black pepper in the pot.
Cover with the reserved cooking water until beans are submerged and bake covered for 2 hours at 300°F (150°C).
Uncover and bake for an additional 30 minutes, adding reserved water if the beans look too dry.

Notes

You can customize the sweetness and add spices for a unique flavor. Leftovers can be stored for up to 3 days in the fridge or 3 months in the freezer.

Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 150 minutes
Category: Side Dish
Method: Baking
Cuisine: American